Cong tries to fend off 2G salvos from dogged Opposition

The Congress party's attempts to save face by sacking corruption tainted ministers have definitely not helped it in Parliament.

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Kay Benedict

New Delhi

November 17, 2010

UPDATED: November 17, 2010 09:16 IST

The Congress party's attempts to save face by sacking corruption tainted ministers have definitely not helped it in Parliament. The Opposition stuck to its guns for the fourth day on Tuesday and demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the 2G Spectrum scam. The BJP even targeted the Prime Minister for "inaction". BJP spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad said: "A. Raja was a small player in the 2G scam. We have been raising this issue from 2007 ever since he publicly stated he took the PMO's approval in all the dealings. How can such a big loot of public money in utter violation of guidelines continue to be granted despite repeated protests? Those responsible should be brought to book."

The Congress, in turn, evaded questions citing legal grounds of the issue. Party spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said: "I do not know what the Supreme Court observed. I have not seen the text. The party and the government will analyse what has been said and then decide on its response. Till the entire text is analysed, it is difficult to comment." Spokesperson Manish Tewari, too, said MPs should declare whether they have represented any party involved in the telcom battle in courts before they spoke on the 2G spectrum issue in Parliament.

"It would be in the interests of morality and an ethical thing to do," Tewari told reporters.

With the Opposition paralysing the winter session of Parliament for four days - initially seeking the resignation of Raja and then demanding a JPC probe - finance minister Pranab Mukherjee met senior BJP leader L. K. Advani on Tuesday to try and break the impasse.

He also convened an all-party meet to evolve a consensus over the JPC. The Congress insisted at the meeting that there was no need for a JPC probe since the CAG report will be taken up for scrutiny by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament.

"No solution has been found yet. They want a JPC, we are open for discussion," Mukherjee said after the meeting.

While the Opposition continued its onslaught in Parliament the cost on account of operations of the House has come to an estimated Rs 6 crore of taxpayers' money. Although the winter session began on a sedate note following the resignation of Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan, there has been a reversal since. And much to the Congress's discomfort even supporting parties such as the Samajwadi Party have joined the Opposition ranks in seeking a JPC.

House in action:

The Opposition disrupted proceedings for the fourth day on Tuesday and sought a JPC probe into the 2G, Adarsh and CWG scams